1.1.1 This Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) is intended to support the implementation of policies within the Council's Local Plan in relation to flood risk. It brings together the Council's approach to flood risk set out within the Core Strategy Policy CS26: Flooding, Policies DM6: Landscape and Trees and DM13: Riverside Development Uses of the Development Management Plan, the Design and Character SPD and the Strategic Flood Risk Assessment (SFRA) (June 2015). (Figure 2)

Figure 2: Extract from the Local Development Scheme

1.1.2 The purpose of this guidance is to give advice and guidance to applicants about the Council's approach to development and flood risk. The guidance is split into two parts. Part 1 covers contextual/background information and Part 2 covers development and flood risk and how this is dealt with through the planning process:

Part 1 - Context

• 1.1 - Introduction
• 1.2 - Policy framework and guidance

Part 2 - Development and flood risk

• 2.1 - Flood risk and the planning process
• 2.2 - Site information and proposed development
• 2.3 - Assessing flood risk
• 2.4 - Avoiding flood risk
• 2.5 - Managing and mitigating flood risk

1.1.3 A significant proportion of the Borough is located within areas at risk of river flooding associated with a number of different watercourses including the Thames, Mole, Dead River, Rythe and Wey. It is also affected by more localised flooding from surface water generated by heavy rainfall, elevated groundwater, existing drainage systems as well as artificial sources including several reservoirs.

1.1.4 The pressure for development is high and it is important that the implications of flood risk are taken into account. This will help to ensure that development is directed away from areas at risk of flooding wherever possible and where it must take place, that it is safe and does not increase flood risk elsewhere. The guidance will support the implementation of policies within the Core Strategy and Development Management Plan. In particular, it will clarify the Council's requirements in terms of when a Flood Risk Assessment (FRA) is required and what information should be included to support decision making.

1.1.5 This SPD has been prepared by Elmbridge Borough Council and builds on the work within the SFRA (prepared by URS (now AECOM)).

1.1.6 There is now a legal duty on local authorities to cooperate with one another, County Councils and other Prescribed Bodies on issues which may have cross boundary implications.

1.1.7 The Council prepared and consulted on a Duty to Cooperate Scoping Statement[1] as part of the background work required to prepare the Elmbridge Local Plan. Flood risk is identified as an issue which may have cross boundary implications and specific engagement activities were proposed and undertaken throughout the preparation of the SFRA.

1.1.8 Given the degree of engagement activities undertaken on the SFRA and that this forms the basis of this SPD, the Council only proposes to engage with those organisations identified in the Scoping Statement on a draft version of the SPD in addition to some focused discussions with key stakeholders[2] .

1.1.9 This guidance has been subject to a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) and Habitats Regulations[3] screening process. The Council consulted the relevant statutory environmental bodies on a draft screening report and concluded that an SEA and an Appropriate Assessment are not required[4] .

1.1.10 Once adopted this guidance will be a material consideration in the planning process. It will be used alongside other policies within the Core Strategy and Development Management Plan to make decisions on planning applications for development in flood risk areas.

1.1.11 We will be consulting on this guidance for 4 weeks between 12 October and 9 November 2015. Comments can be submitted in the following ways:

• Online [5]
• By email to planningpolicy@elmbridge.gov.uk; or
• By post to Planning Services, Elmbridge Borough Council, Civic Centre, High Street, Esher, Surrey, KT10 9SD

1.1.12 Where possible it would be helpful if the response form, available online or to download in pdf or word versions, could be used to submit comments[6] .

1.1.13 Following consultation, all comments will be considered and taken into account in preparing a final version of the guidance. It will then go through the Council's committee process (Cabinet and Council) to be formally adopted by the Council as an SPD early in 2016.